Facebook Beefs Up PR Team As IPO Approaches

Facebook is bulking up its communications teams as it prepares to cope with the increased spotlight of being a public company, according to people familiar with the matter.

The Menlo Park social networking giant is plucking manager level talent from international communications firm Brunswick and online gaming company Zynga, according to these people. It is not known whether other firms may be involved or exactly how many communications team members the company is adding.

Facebook’s investor relations team in Silicon Valley and its advertising PR team in New York City are expected to be two primary areas that will see an increase in headcount, according to these people.

Facebook is expected to go public in May in an offering that will raise at least $5 billion in proceeds, which would make it the largest internet-related offering on record. Once a public entity, the company will be subject to increased SEC reporting requirements, along with other responsibilities that will require a significantly higher level of communication with investors, clients, and the public.

Representatives at Zynga , Brunswick, and Facebook declined to comment.